Dogs carry their weight differently (just like humans) and these two measurements are the best way to gauge the proper size. Click here to see sizing comparison chart.
NOTE – Measurement sizes are approximate. For your dog’s comfort, go UP a size if your dog’s chest measurements are close to the maximum of a size group. Roadie is not designed to fit skin-tight, so it’s better to go with the next larger size and tailor the fit using the adjustment strap(s).
As noted above, weight is distributed differently – it’s the chest andweight that matter most.
Your new roadie is not designed to fit skin-tight, like other harnesses. It should have several inches of play in order to be comfortable and function properly. The simple test for size is as follows:
- Put the Roadie on your dog and adjust
- With the dog standing, pull the leash/connector piece in the middle of your dog’s back straight up until there is no more play
- You should be able to insert between two and four fingers vertically between the bottom of the harness and the dog’s back
- If you can fit less than two fingers, the harness is too small and you need a bigger size
- When your dog is standing lift up one paw. The harness webbing should be dropped down between 1″ and 2.5″ below the top of the armpit to prevent chaffing.
Proper fit is essential. Puppies need to be sized just like full-grown dogs. We do not recommend that you buy a size larger for your puppy so that the puppy will “grow into it”. If the harness is too big, he will come out of it.
Roadie Canine Vehicle Safety Harness allows your dog to sit, stand, or lie down safely while tethered to the vehicle seatbelt system. Your pet can do anything on the seat while wearing the Roadie that he can do with it off….except fly through the vehicle in a accident or sudden stop.
The short “walking leash” on the back of the safety harness has two openings. Simply pass the vehicle seat belt through one of the openings and clip it into the vehicle seat belt buckle. The opening closer to the back of the dog will more limit the amount of movement – pick the one that works best for your pet.
No, you can also use the child safety seat anchor (also called ISO-LATCH or ISOFIX), which are metal U-shaped anchor points located at the top or rear of seatbacks or between the area where the seatback and seatbase meet. You MUST use a locking recreational climbing carabiner or something with similar strength to attach the Roadie to the anchor. Only qualified climbing carabiners have a minimum breaking strength of around 5,000 lbs, the SAE requirement for seat belt webbing.
Yes, you can use a Roadie in the Cargo Area but it must be securely attached using the child safety seat anchor (also called ISO-LATCH or ISOFIX), which are metal U-shaped anchor points located at the top or rear of seatbacks or between the area where the seatback and seatbase meet. Or you can use the removable seat-mounting brackets or floor mounted tie-downs in the cargo area. (You MUST use a locking recreational climbing carabiner or something with similar strength to attach the Roadie to the anchor. Only qualified climbing carabiners have a minimum breaking strength of around 5,000 lbs, the SAE requirement for seat belt webbing.)
No. The Roadie was designed to be the best Canine Vehicle Safety Harness available from the drawing board,therefore, a custom fit is crucial.
We offer nine sizes, all of which are adjustable. See the Harness Sizing chart or call us at 720.427.1779 to speak to a live expert for custom fitting.
Ruff Rider Products highly recommends that you put your dog(s) in the back seat. The safest seat is the seat in the middle. The two most important reasons for NOT putting your dog in the front seat are:
Air bags punch out of the dashboard at 140 miles per hour and, as with small children, airbags can be lethal for dogs.
Because of the short distance between your dog’s nose and the windshield, the chance of him hitting the windshield is high in an accident or sudden stop.
If you must put your dog in the front seat BE SURE to turn off the airbag or call your car dealer to do it for you. Most dealers will do it free of charge.
During a crash test conducted by Allianz Insurance Company in Germany, debris flew freely in the test car after the dog crate exploded on impact. The crate was fastened securely in the vehicle with the seatbelt. The crate exploded because the “dummy dog” hit the inside of the crate with such extreme force that the crate opened up and the dog continued to fly out of the car. Remember that any loose object in the car is a potential unguided missile. The real question here should be, “is anyone safe in the car with a dog in a crate”?